The official start of the Dakar Rally came to a close Saturday afternoon, with the Stage 1 setting the first competitive challenge for the more than 200 vehicles taking part in this year’s edition.
Trucks
The start for the trucks suffered a 1-hour delay following an accident in which a spectator suffered injures and needed assistance from the medical team.
As a result, the stage was shortened and the new finish line drawn at the PC2 checkpoint, 280,69km into the stage. The full, planned special for today was of 414km.
Though not in its full lengths, the Dakar action for the biggest machineries in the event saw fierce competition.
Ales Loparis, who had to withdraw from last year’s edition, led the pack at the start. He had finished second in yesterday’s prologue. However, his speed was not enough to keep the lead – it was Janus van Kasteren who was the fastest through the first checkpoint.
The Dutch driver finished just under half a second ahead of Loprais, and although the Czech national tried to make up and regain the glorious first spot, he failed to do so, and the victory was taken by van Kasteren once again.
SSVs
Prologue winner Xavier De Soultrait posted the fastest time through the first checkpoint on kilometer 38. He was ahead by 41 seconds to Yasir Seaidan.
The Frenchman continued to lead the timing board on the SSVs, but it didn’t last long. De Soultrait was down by more than 5 minutes and a half at the 281km checkpoint. It was Gerard Farres who had taken the lead of the stage ahead of Sara Price, who was racing her Dakar debut.
However the lead changed once again, and this time in favor or Rodrigo Varela. The Brazilian seized it at the 367km mark, leaving Farres behind with the second best provisional time by 12 minutes.
Price took the last step of the stage podium, 18 minutes down.
Stay tuned for continuing coverage of the Dakar Rally here, on Action Sports Network.